EngenuitySC Announces Dr. Keith Shah as 2017 Vision Award Winner

Dr. Keith Shah (right) was presented with the 2017 EngenuitySC Vision Award at a reception on Oct. 30 by EngenuitySC Executive Director Meghan Hickman, University of South Carolina President and founding co-chair of the EngenuitySC board Dr. Harris Pastides, and Richland County Councilman and current EngenuitySC board chair Paul Livingston.

OCTOBER 31, 2017 (COLUMBIA, S.C.): EngenuitySC has presented Dr. Keith Shah with its 2017 Vision Award. Shah was presented with the award at a reception at the President’s House at the University of South Carolina, where UofSC president Dr. Harris Pastides, founding co-chair of the EngenuitySC board, and Richland County Councilman Paul Livingston, current EngenuitySC board chair, presided over the ceremony. The Vision Award is given annually by the nonprofit to an individual who exemplifies its mission of regional competitiveness and prosperity.

Shah, who currently resides in Washington, D.C., will be joining Palmetto Health, and he and his family will be returning to Columbia, S.C., full-time in November. Shah has served on the EngenuitySC board since 2013, as board chair in 2015-16 and continued to serve on the EngenuitySC board during his years in D.C.

“For 11 years now, EngenuitySC has recognized one individual in our community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help advance Columbia’s regional competitiveness and embody a spirit of collaboration,” noted Meghan Hickman, EngenuitySC executive director. “Keith’s dedication to the mission and his belief in the region is unmatched, and that’s been proven through his commitment to serve even after his move to D.C. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have him back in the Midlands once again.”

As one of the youngest members of the EngenuitySC board, Shah has had a tremendous impact on the focus, structure and strategy of the organization. As board chair, he was instrumental in the formation of the first Executive Committee when the board chose to form one in early 2016, and he navigated the board and staff through thoughtful discussions around the long-term impact of the organization.

“The Midlands is a special place, and it’s exciting to see everything that is happening in our community. We – both EngenuitySC and our community as a whole – have the unique opportunity to shape the Midlands, making it an even better place to live and work, to visit and entertain, and to raise the next generation. The potential of our region is huge and is a credit to the type of talent we have in the area,” said Shah.

Shah was appointed to the EngenuitySC board during his tenure at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, stepping into the seat that longtime EngenuitySC board member and visionary Judy Davis had held. Davis, who was remembered and honored at the reception, was one of the Midlands’ biggest champions and believers in the importance of collaborative work. Davis was awarded the EngenuitySC Vision Award in 2011 and is deeply missed in the community.

“The efforts of this board, both by its current membership and former board members who paved the way – like Judy Davis, Bob Coble, Andrew Sorenson, and Larry Wilson – prove that our advances as a region have been realized through collaboration. We can’t lose sight of how critical that is,” said Shah.

The Vision Award is presented annually by EngenuitySC’s board, many of whom were present for the recent award ceremony. EngenuitySC board members include the following:

Dr. Harris Pastides, Founding Co-Chair – President, The University of South Carolina

Cheryl Harris – Richland County School District One Board of Commissioners

Bill & Lou Kennedy – Nephron Pharmaceuticals

Bill Kirkland – The University of South Carolina, Office of Economic Engagement

Lasenta Lewis-Ellis – LLE Construction, LLC

John Lumpkin

Elise Partin – Mayor, City of Cayce

Dr. Ron Rhames – President, Midlands Technical College

Dr. Keith Shah – Palmetto Health

“Since Keith first became involved with EngenuitySC, he has time and again challenged us to think about things differently and to expand our collaborative measures. EngenuitySC’s mission of making the Midlands the more competitive and prosperous has been greatly influenced by Keith’s leadership, advice and experience. We are so proud to call him a board member, a friend, a supporter, and this year’s Vision Award winner,” said Hickman.